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Post by hfxfan2002 on Oct 3, 2023 10:27:25 GMT -4
We welcome back Markus Vidicek as he returns from suspension, this will be the first game with Mathieu Cataford in the lineup with Vidicek. It’ll be interesting to see what approach they take in the lineup, does Cataford/Vidicek play together or separate? Does Kilfoil play 2C or 3C or wing?
If I had to take a guess this is what it’ll probably look like.
Early Projections
Peitzsche | Vidicek | Fournier
Levesque | Cataford | Crosby
Ponzetto | Kilfoil | MacPhee
Todd | Fontaine | Moser
That just feels the most balanced, but Kilfoil getting more top 6 time against a young cape Breton squad is totally possible. Just want to see more of this Levesque | Cataford | Crosby line together. The only two players I feel wouldn’t gel together is Peitzsche & Ponzetto. But could be wrong.
Also Dumais wasn’t in the lineup for the last blue jackets game yesterday
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Post by sherwood1020 on Oct 3, 2023 11:31:49 GMT -4
This should be an interesting match-up against two teams that are currently recovering from slow starts as their rosters come together.
As an Eagles fan who watched the first preseason games with mostly tryout players, Lou Levesque really impressed me in those games and I was happy to see him not only crack the squad, but also seems to be thriving at the Q level. I'll have a close eye on him here tommorow.
I think Halifax will have the on ice edge tommorow with a mostly complete roster, however the Eagles will also be looking to put up a good effort on home ice after a disastrous home opener weekend. Should be a pretty good game for fans of both teams.
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Post by statsman18 on Oct 4, 2023 9:23:52 GMT -4
I’m interested in seeing if they put Cataford back with Vidicek or keep him with Crosby. So far and I know it’s only a 4 game sample size but Crosby is playing the way we need him to play to actually be competitive. He’s at a currently at a 1.25 PPG pace. I don’t see him keeping that up but if he does that’s an 85 point season. Personally if he has a 25 goal and 60 point season that is a great season for him.
I think Halifax will win this game but I don’t think the score will reflect the game. I’m going to say a 5-2 score but it will be a tight game with an empty net goal.
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Post by canbeer on Oct 4, 2023 11:48:45 GMT -4
I’m interested in seeing if they put Cataford back with Vidicek or keep him with Crosby. So far and I know it’s only a 4 game sample size but Crosby is playing the way we need him to play to actually be competitive. He’s at a currently at a 1.25 PPG pace. I don’t see him keeping that up but if he does that’s an 85 point season. Personally if he has a 25 goal and 60 point season that is a great season for him. I think Halifax will win this game but I don’t think the score will reflect the game. I’m going to say a 5-2 score but it will be a tight game with an empty net goal. Last year they couldn’t help themselves early on and try to load up one line and refused to play Cataford at centre. Different coach but I wonder if they still fall into that trap. Cataford centring Crosby and Levesque was a tremendous line last weekend. Don’t fuck with it and see if they can find some chemistry elsewhere in the lineup as well. Levesque and Crosby are having a great start, pretty much every aspect of Crosby’s game has been encouraging, 25g and 60p seems within reason and would be great for player and team. |
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Post by statsman18 on Oct 4, 2023 12:22:12 GMT -4
I’m interested in seeing if they put Cataford back with Vidicek or keep him with Crosby. So far and I know it’s only a 4 game sample size but Crosby is playing the way we need him to play to actually be competitive. He’s at a currently at a 1.25 PPG pace. I don’t see him keeping that up but if he does that’s an 85 point season. Personally if he has a 25 goal and 60 point season that is a great season for him. I think Halifax will win this game but I don’t think the score will reflect the game. I’m going to say a 5-2 score but it will be a tight game with an empty net goal. Last year they couldn’t help themselves early on and try to load up one line and refused to play Cataford at centre. Different coach but I wonder if they still fall into that trap. Cataford centring Crosby and Levesque was a tremendous line last weekend. Don’t fuck with it and see if they can find some chemistry elsewhere in the lineup as well. Levesque and Crosby are having a great start, pretty much every aspect of Crosby’s game has been encouraging, 25g and 60p seems within reason and would be great for player and team. I think the different coach has a lot to do with it. Here’s the problem though, I thought Kilfoil and Crosby looked good together too. I’d rather Cataford and Crosby together but mix in Kilfoil with the 2 of them would never hurt. After watching the 1st 2 games you have to put Dumais with Vidicek. Vidicek needs someone else to play with to be successful. Cataford is capable of creating offence himself. The PP should be interesting when he gets back too. Crosby looks like he’s more than capable being a presence infront of the net with the other 3 mentioned playing with the puck. |
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Post by hfxfan2002 on Oct 4, 2023 14:13:32 GMT -4
I remember in 2022 how well that Cataford | Desnoyers | Dumais line did in the 2nd half, wonder if the same production can be met with Kilfoil | Vidicek | Dumais or even Levesque | Vidicek | Dumais.
So far through three games Crosby has performed well with both Kilfoil & Cataford. Should be interesting how it transpires later on. If you put all three on a line wonder if it still gels.
It’s building a third line that works that interests me at this point.
Anyways that’s off-topic from this game.
I hope for the win today but can’t take Cape Breton too lightly, even with the loss of Jacob Newcombe they still got a hot Cole Burbidge, pesty Cam Squires, and got Cam MacDonald & William Shields amongst others. It’s our D that makes our team dangerous early on.
I think we have a rough start and go down early but we win 3-1. Rousseau in nets. If it’s Milner I think we lose 3-2.
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Post by hfxfan09 on Oct 4, 2023 20:17:36 GMT -4
1-0 Halifax Late third on a Crosby goal!
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Post by trueblue on Oct 4, 2023 20:29:04 GMT -4
Don't forget Crosby is draft-eligible for the first time next summer. I wonder if he could play his way into being a late rounder if he keeps this up? He's certainly got the size that pro scouts seem to love.
Either way, I don't think you can break up Crosby/Cataford/Levesque even when Dumais comes back.
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Post by Marshall on Oct 4, 2023 20:32:55 GMT -4
Thought Viidicek, Fournier and Peitzsche line was real good tonight lots of possession time and good chances , I don’t know what’s up with Shultz and furlong the turnovers are getting ridiculous . Nice to see Crosby taking advantage of the extra ice time , he was quiet tonight up to the goal thought that line had a quiet night . Jake Todd looked good as well looked like a little buzz saw out there. Not much to say about Rousseau !!!! Great
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Post by Citris on Oct 4, 2023 20:47:51 GMT -4
A few quick thoughts on the game tonight
- Not one of the more exciting games I've seen but good to see a win
- To say Mathis Rousseau has been good since returning would be an understatement. He's the Mooseheads cheat code right now.
- Hopefully that gets the monkey off Markus Vidicek's back.
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Post by trueblue on Oct 4, 2023 20:54:11 GMT -4
Another early observation is the type of structure Midge has these guys playing with right now. A stark contrast to the free flowing, fire drill hockey that we saw at the beginning of last year. Probably the most noticeable is how much close support there is for the puck carrier in all three zones. Last year's team played with so much spacing - forwards stretching the zone on breakout, cross-ice passing, and lots of wide zone entries.
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Post by trueblue on Oct 4, 2023 21:00:00 GMT -4
- To say Mathis Rousseau has been good since returning would be an understatement. He's the Mooseheads cheat code right now. Can't wait for him to keep this up then get snubbed off the World Junior team! |
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Post by hfxfan2002 on Oct 4, 2023 21:00:41 GMT -4
I missed the game, how did the third line look with Kilfoil, Ponzetto, MacPhee? We’re they able to do much?
Also is Crosby on a little point streak right now? 4 games? This is great.
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Post by Citris on Oct 4, 2023 21:11:03 GMT -4
I missed the game, how did the third line look with Kilfoil, Ponzetto, MacPhee? We’re they able to do much? Also is Crosby on a little point streak right now? 4 games? This is great. Logan Crosby has exactly half the goals, assists and points he had last year. The difference is, he did it in 5 games instead of 58. Can we see Crosby match his production from last year in 10-15 games? How fun would that be? |
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Post by Herd Fan on Oct 4, 2023 21:21:48 GMT -4
I didn’t see the whole game as I am travelling for work. From what I saw, it was a great goalie dual. Advantage Rousseau. It was a good forward dual, advantage Halifax, but the reason for our forwards success goes a little unnoticed. Our D-core struggles at times, Schultz and Furlong with turnovers, but this D-core ultimately makes our breakout seem less. Moose D-core clearly outperformed Cape’s D and as a consequence, increased Moose’s opportunity to forecheck. I believe this has been understated so far in our first few regular season games.
Not surprised at result. Kind of boring to watch. Looking forward to maybe catching the Victoriaville game this weekend. This will be a good test.
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